Crop District 9AW – Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B – Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas
For the Period August 7 to 13, 2018
Crops are advancing rapidly in the region due to recent hot temperatures. Less than one per cent of the crop has been combined, although pulse desiccation and canola swathing are well underway. Additional rain is needed to help later-seeded crops fill heads and pods.
Rainfall last week ranged from nil to 29 mm in the Meadow Lake area. The Hafford area received 2 mm of rain, the Duck Lake area 3 mm, the Spiritwood area 22 mm, the Neilburg area 16 mm, the Turtleford and Lloydminister areas 20 mm and the St. Walburg area 14 mm. The St. Walburg area has received the most precipitation (370 mm) in the region since April 1.
Topsoil moisture conditions have worsened in many areas despite the recent rain. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 69 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 65 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Crop District 9AW is reporting that 14 per cent of the cropland and 15 per cent of the hay land and pasture are very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Expected yields range from about average to well above average; however, yields may be affected by the recent high temperatures. The majority of crop damage this past week was due to hail, lack of moisture, wind and hot temperatures.
Producers are busy combining, desiccating fields and swathing crops.